Two Guardian journalists win Orwell prize for journalism
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Version 0 of 1. Two Guardian journalists, Jonathan Freedland and Ghaith Abdul-Ahad, have won the Orwell prize for their political journalism. Freedland, the Guardian's executive editor, Opinion, was awarded the special prize for journalism for his writing, including articles on Margaret Thatcher, Pope Francis and the murder of Lee Rigby. Robin Lustig, a judge for the journalism prize, said of Freedland: "He has been on the shortlist of the Orwell prize seven times now. His writing has a lucidity and elegance of style that deserves reward." Guardian foreign correspondent Ghaith Abdul-Ahad won the Orwell prize for journalism for his work on the Syrian conflict, including a special report on a jihadist group effort to take control in the country. Lustig said: "He has shown great personal courage and a rare depth of understanding. He writes with deep compassion for those whose lives have been shattered by the conflict." The winners were chosen from 235 entries to the book prize and 167 entries to the journalism prize. The books category was won by former Labour home secretary, Alan Johnson for his memoir, This Boy, which also won the Ondaatje literary prize. Sue MacGregor, a judge for the books award, said: "This is a tale told without a trace of self-pity, but with great grace and good humour, of what it was like growing up poor in a single- parent family in post-war Britain. It is at once deeply personal and nationally significant, and a highly engaging read." |